Stolen Bike

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As a child, there’s often one item that means the world to him or her. It could be anything really; perhaps a baseball glove or a favorite jacket. Yet generally speaking, a bicycle represents the first taste of freedom for a child. To be able to propel yourself forward with reckless abandon, the wind flowing through your hair, all the while imagining a wonderful adventure unfolding right before your eyes. Such was the case for a 10 year old boy in a small town from Minnesota until his bike was stolen recently. Yet he didn’t stand idly by and dwell on his loss. Instead, he took his case to the press.

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Chuck The Truck needs fine tuning

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It’s no secret that Chuck The Truck is a favorite toy for the under age 5 crowd. Naturally an app built around this popular item seems to be a winning endeavor. Yet the iPad app “Chuck and Friends: Friends for the Long Haul”, a collaboration between Hasbro and Ruckus Media Group, falls short of being great. Although many of its parts are noteworthy, the sum total falls short.

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IMAX Born to be Wild 3D

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Young children become captivated by the sight of other children. Sometimes they stop and stare or even point in recognition to a person like themselves. This holds true with a child’s perception of animals, especially young animals. Such is the case with the IMAX documentary film “Born to Be Wild 3D”, a heart warming story of the bond between human beings and animals, specifically orphaned baby elephants and orangutans in need of rescue.

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Teaching with Literature in the Primary Grades

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Originally featured in Byrdseed Gifted June 2011 Issue

By and large, we underestimate the learning capabilities of young students, beginning in preschool and extending through second grade. We tend to focus on the basics – alphabet, letters, numbers, individual words, basic shapes – in isolation, forgetting to add the richness of depth and complexity that allow students to learn on a deeper level, and provide interest for those students who have already learned the particular skills. For gifted students even as young as age 3, the type of skill-based learning that prevails in preschool and early elementary classrooms can turn them off from school almost right away.

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The North Face Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway

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Back to School means getting back in gear. The North Face is the trusted source for reliable, award winning, active clothing, backpacks, footwear, and more for the whole family. We here at CuteMonster.com are huge fans of The North Face products. We’re thrilled to offer you a chance to win a Jester Backpack from The North Face.

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How do you celebrate the 4th of July?

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July 4th in 2011 marks the 235th annual celebration of the United States of America’s declaration of independence. Historically speaking, July 4, 1776 was most likely only the day the wording of the declaration of independence was approved. The formal signing of the document didn’t take place until a month later. Yet who hasn’t celebrated their birthday a little early? The real question lies in how we celebrate.

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Cars 2 Review

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Making a movie sequel to an overwhelmingly popular and beloved film must be hard work. Credit should be given to any creative team tasked with surpassing the inherent goodness of the original. Often, the easy solution is to simply recreate the formula of the first successful film. Yet for the ambitious moviemakers, the goal is to make something completely different. Such is the case with Disney Pixar’s “Cars 2.” A story that attempts so hard to be different, it collapses under the weight of its own ambition.

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LeapFrog announces LeapPad Explorer Tablet

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To the dismay of many parents, their beloved Apple iPad has become the go to toy for the sticky fingered little people in their lives. With a starting price of $500, it’s not surprising that Moms and Dads have yearned for a viable, inexpensive alternative. Enter the LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Tablet. A kid friendly, durable, interactive tablet with a built in microphone and video capable camera promising to fulfill the needs of kids and adults alike.

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How Fatherhood and Jello are Related

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For me, 2006 was the year that changed everything. A nine month odyssey of introspection, fear, and discovery that would shake me to my very core. To state that I was mentally and emotionally unprepared for my upcoming new role in life would be an understatement. I was a mess pure and simple. A wobbling bowl of green jello barely held together by skin and bones. Maybe that’s why Bill Cosby, America’s TV Dad, became a spokesperson for Jello products. A tacit nod to all new Dads who’ve gone through this rite of passage. The path that leads to Father’s Day.

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